Darren Brown, senior quantity surveyor at Classic Masonry, is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as we give him just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.


What does a typical working day for you involve?

Working for a smaller, specialist SME means I get involved across all areas of the business, which is something I really enjoy. No two days are the same. I'm constantly juggling live projects, reviewing tenders and supporting the team wherever needed.

Coming from a Tier 1 main contractor background, where roles tend to be more siloed, it's refreshing to have a broader range of responsibilities and play a part in helping the business succeed on all fronts.

What makes your company special?

At Classic Masonry, we genuinely pride ourselves on the quality of our work. That might sound like a cliché, but I really believe it. We restore, conserve and bring listed buildings and historic monuments back to life – places that fascinated me as a kid because of the history behind them, and now I get to work on preserving them. The people are alright, too!

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

Play it with a straight bat. You wouldn’t hear many other QSs say that!

Do you dress up or down for work?

I’ve went from wearing a shirt and tie to wearing company polo tops and T-shirts, which is much more comfortable, especially in this current heatwave.

What piece of advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Listen more than you talk and learn from the experienced tradespeople around you. Some of the best lessons in this industry don't come from textbooks.

How do you prefer to travel for business?

Car, so I can listen to my music or audiobooks, but being a passenger is always nice too, especially on longer journeys.

What’s your favourite place in the North East to relax?

As I have a young family, we love spending time at our local National Trusts – especially the ones with great parks for the kids! You also can't beat a walk along the coast with a coffee, followed by fish and chips by the sea.

Where is your favourite place to eat in the North East, and what dish do you recommend?

I always try to support local independent restaurants and cafés. Our offices are based in North Shields, which has loads of great places to eat and drink. The Grainger Market is brilliant these days too, with so many different food options to choose from. It's hard to pick just one favourite!

What’s your favourite North East venue for an event or team away day?

There’s nothing better than the Ouseburn on a sunny Saturday, drinking a cold one with your pals.

What do you miss most about the North East when you’re away?

Ham and pease pudding sarnies – why has Gregg’s stopped doing them?



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